Hanukkah begins on December 7th
Meaning and customs of the Jewish Festival of Lights
The Jewish festival of lights, Hanukkah, takes place from December 7th to 15th this year.
© Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock.com
Hanukkah begins on December 7th this year. Why is the Jewish Festival of Lights celebrated and what are the customs? An overview.
Today, Thursday, marks the beginning of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. It is one of the most important holidays in Judaism and begins every year on Kislev 25, the third month of the Jewish calendar. In 2023, the eight-day festival runs from December 7th to 15th. Customs, food, background: Here you can find everything you need to know about Hanukkah.
Why is Hanukkah celebrated?
The Hebrew word “Hanukkah” means “inauguration.” The festival has historical origins and commemorates the rededication of the second Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in the Jewish year 3597 (164 BC in the Gregorian calendar).
When the Jews cleaned up the recaptured Temple, all they found was a barrel of oil to light the temple’s light. In the end, the light burned for eight days instead of just one night – a miracle. That’s why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days.
In memory of the miracle of the oil, a candle from the traditional eight-branched candlestick, the Hanukkiah, is lit every day during the Festival of Lights. The lighting is done using the ninth candle, also called the servant or in Hebrew “shamash”. The candles are always lit after sunset and from right to left – the new one always first – until all eight lights light up on the last day. The candlestick must be set up so that it catches the public’s eye, after all it is supposed to publicize the “miracle”. This is why you often find it in windows.
Games, food, customs
In addition to the lights, the focus of Hanukkah is family. It is mainly a domestic celebration, you meet at home with friends and family. According to tradition, from dusk until midnight there is no work in the house, but rather singing and playing.
The dreidel game with a four-sided wooden top with four Hebrew characters that stand for the saying “A great miracle happened here” is popular. Depending on which side you got, you can win small prizes. The children also receive sweets, money or other gifts every evening.
Traditionally, Hanukkah features dishes prepared with olive oil in memory of the oil miracle, such as sufganiyot (doughnuts) or latkes (potato pancakes).